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The aim of the PROTECT project is to provide policy advice and develop methodologies to assess the potential of different MPA regimes. Marine Protected Areas will be assessed for their effectiveness to protect sensitive species, habitats and ecosystems from the adverse effects of fishing, to promote the enhancement of vulnerable species or ecosystems and to assist in the sustainable harvesting of economically valuable species. A number of European institutes propose to work together in 3 regional case studies and in common work packages on the methodology development, assessment and modelling of European MPAs.

PROTECT will define, assess and evaluate the parameters determining the success and failure of different regimes of protected areas based on resource, ecosystem and socio-economic objectives. Because of the large variety of marine issues and conflicts that arise in European MPAs, different approaches will be studied ranging from âno take zonesâ and marine reserves to protected areas, where different levels of fishing are accepted either on a seasonal or activity basis. These case studies will encompass:
Case Study 1 - A top-down controlled ecosystem
Case Study 2 - A âwasp-waistâ ecosystem
Case Study 3 - Deep water coral ecosystems

In each of the case studies identified, the project will:

Evaluate the design of marine protected areas in terms of location, size, level of regulation of human activities, ecosystems characteristics, temporal scale as well as monitoring, assessment and management structures.

Identify the potential fishery benefits as well as adverseness in terms of protection of exploited populations and protection of essential habitats, including the benefits in adjacent areas.

Investigate the socio-economic impacts of the MPA, or proposed MPA, on local communities, user groups and impacts on the decision making process.

Integrate and model the expected performances of protected areas in terms of the pre-defined objectives and develop management tools to increase their effectiveness.

The three main scientific objectives of the PROTECT project are:
1. To evaluate the potential of MPAs as a tool to protect sensitive and endangered species, habitats and ecosystems from the effects of fishing in the context of EU fisheries and marine environmental policies.
2. To outline and develop a suite of monitoring, assessment and management tools for MPAs. These methods are intended to assist managers in assessing (i) the fisheries impact on the ecosystem or ecosystem components to be protected, (ii) the impact of introducing MPAs with varying level of protection on the protection target, and (iii) the impact of MPAs on the fishery and related socio-economic effects.
3. To improve the linkage between science and management when designing and introducing future MPAs, including guidance on (i) timing and level of stakeholder involvement required to achieve legitimacy and to ensure that the best knowledge is applied and (ii) follow-up actions after the implementation of MPAs, ensuring achievement of objectives or introduction of necessary modifications.